The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-08-18
Tho Benninet ton Battle Monument.

After ten years OF yicisitudes the Ben
nington Battle Monument is at last on q
solid foundation the corner stone having
been laid with imposing ceremonies on
Tuesday. The following description Of
the structure we copy from the last Ban
ner which also has very good cut Of the
proposed monument:
1.-THE elevation OF the State Arms Hill,
some 300 feet above the Walloomsac VAL
ley, with Mt. Anthony 1000 feet high one
half mile back OF il to the south, sented
at the out set conditions that absolutely
demand a structure that should have 10
itself some OF the elements Of majesty and
grandeur that will constitute its surround
ings and that it should be component
part OF the landscape. This may have
been the underlying purpose OF Mr.. Rim
in developing his plans, and he has sue
ceeded in producing design that cannot
fail to be wholly 10 harmony with the site
which has been selected for it, and with
the spirit Of the event which 1t commem-
crates. 1t was, perhaps, no easy matter
to accomplish this, but as we look now at
the completed plans aud models it seems
as though the tall, severe shaft really
offered the only possible satisfactory solu.
tion Of the problem. Aud thus it is that
Bennington will have structure that
will dignity and honor the occasion that
has called it into existence.
The foundation il now being put in by
the contractor, Mr.. W. II. Ward OF Lo-
WE'LL Mass. 1t was discovered upon in
vestigstion that the solid limestone ledge
that constituted the site selected offered
OF itself superb natural foundation solid
as the everlasting bills and capable Of sup
porting forever any building that might
be put upon il. On three sides this ledge
was leyelled of in order to make smooth
and uniform surface and on II the founda-
tion for the monument Is now being laid.
The foundation is "A feet square at the
base aud runs up to height Of 3 feet, the
sides inclining at a slight angle, like
pyramid, so Of the top it is 81 feet square.
The foundation is OF limestone from the
Fillmore quarry, the stone the greater part
Of which are feet long, feet wide and
feet thick, are laid 10 cement aud with
cement pointed joints outside. The ground
will be graded around this foundation 20
that about four feel Of /, are beneath the
surface.
On top OF this foundation stands the |
structure proper This is simple shaft
ia the form Of al obellsk, 3Oi feet high |
from foundation to sper. II will be built |
Of Sandy Hill dolomite OF magnetism lime
stone. A, The base the walls are seven
feet sir inches thick, decreasing gradually
TO q thickness OF two feet at the apeI |
The outside will be buiit with what is
known technically as headers and stretch
crs. These are stones cut 10 long blocks;
the streichers are laid lengthwise and
the headers With the ends 10 The outer
wall, and rnnping through 10 the inside.
The outside wall is thus LAID until height
Of sbou. eco fee, Is STAINED. sitter u hich
AL stones extend through the walls. In
aide. the sails are left in the rough state
o. ihe rock. TIE outside walls have q
rough fnish. The limestone being leti with
a rock OF split face
Al the night angle corners Of the shsf,
here The sides meet and also at sll win
aoss and other openinss the stone Is ha-
shed Ia qaarisr inch draft lines or Aris.
thai is II is finished smoothly aud along
these lines The sione pitched on and |,